Steam-generating system



Nov. 6, 1928.

c. KIESSELBACH STEAM GENERATING SYSTEM Filed March 8, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jnvnfar: (lame/as fi esselach Nov. 6, 1928. 1,690,120

c. KIESSELBACH STEAM GENERATING SYSTEM Filed March 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jnven/ar: mens sselbadz Nov. 6, 1928.

C. KIESSELB'ACH STEAM GENERATING SYSTEM Filed March 8, 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 5- Jnuen/or:

Patented Nov. 6, 1928.

UNITED STATES CLEMENS KIESSELBACH, OF BONN, GERMANY.

STEAM-GENERATIN G SYSTEM.

Application filed March 8, 1923, Serial No.

My invention relates to improvements in steam generating systems, and the object of the improvements is to provide a. system in which irregular consumption of steam is compensated for without varying the fuel supply. W'ith this object in view my invention consists in connecting the steam boiler with an accumulator receptacle and means for circulating the water through the boiler and receptacle. Other objects of the invention will appear from the following descriptiong.

In order that my invention be more clearly understood several examples embodying the same have been shown in the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference characters have been used in all the views to indicate corresponding parts. In said drawings,

Fig. 1, is an elevation showing the boiler and the accumulator receptacle connected therewith,

Fig. 2, is a plan view of Fig. 1,

3, is an end View looking from the left in F ig. 1,

Fig. 4, is an elevation showing the accumulator of the system on an enlarged scale,

Fig. is an elevation partly in 4 section showing the overflow, and

Figs. U to 9, are diagrammatica-l plan views illustrating modifications of the invention.

Referring at first to the example illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5, my improved system consists of a steam boiler or steam boilers 1 and a storage receptacle 2 connected with the boiler by pipes 3 and 16, 8, 9, a feed pump 4 taking feed water from a receptacle 5 and forcing the.

same through a pipe 6 and preheating apparatus such as cconomizers 10 to a. storage receptacle 12 adapted to be connected to or disconnected from the pipe 8 by means of a valve 18. As shown the receptacles 2 and 12 are combined into a cylinder separated into two chambers by a partition wall 2. The pipes 8, 9 include a. circulating pump 7 by means of which water is forced from the receptacles 2 and 12 into the boiler 1. The pipe 3 may be connected to any point of the boiler or boilers 1, but I prefer to connect the same to the boiler in such a way that any excess of water supplied to the boiler flows into the receptacle 2 by gravity. If it is not feasible to connect the pipe 3 to a point intermediate the high and low water levels I provide the construction illustrated in detail in Fig. 5 in which the pipe 3 is connected to the bottom of the 623,682, and in Germany March 11, 1922.

boiler and passed to a receptacle 15 including an overflow 15 disposed at a level intermediatethe high and low water levels of the boiler.

The steam chambers of the boiler or boilers and of the receptacles 2 and 12 are connected with each other by a pipe 17 for maintaining uniform pressure within the boiler and receptacles.

The construction of thevalve 18 is such that in the position shown in Fig. 4 in dotted lines only the accumulator is connected with the circulating pump 7, and that in the'position shown in full lines both the receptacles 2 and 12 are connected with the said pump. The pump 7 may be operated for circulating varying or uniform volumes of Water. In the following it will be assumed that its effect is constant. At the time of high consumption of steam, valve 18 is set so that water is taken from receptacle 2 and supplied to the boiler, while receptacle 12 is disconnected from the boiler, and at the time of reduced consumption of steam water is supplied from both receptacles 2 and 12. In the figures I have shown automatic controlling means for valve 18. As shown a cylinder 19 including a piston 21 is connected by apipe 20 with the pipe 17 and the boiler, and the piston is connected through a suitable gearing with a weight 22 acting in opposition to the pressure of the steam and with the valve 18. At the time of high consumption of steam the pressure of the steam tends to fall off. Therefore piston 21 falls into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig.- 4, and it sets the valve 18 and the operating gearing thereof into the position shown in dotted lines. Upon a reduction of the consumption of steam the pressure within the boiler rises, and the piston 21 and the valve 18 are again set into the sit-ions shown in full lines. The weight of the body 22 and the angular position thereof are such that each position of the body and the valve 18 corresponds to a certain pressure of the steam, so that corresponding amounts of water are taken by the pump 7 from the storage tank 12. The conditions may be varied by varyingthe angle a of the lever carrying the weight 22.

The operation of the system is as follows: The feed pump 4 takes an amount of water corresponding to the average demand from the tank 5 and forces the same through the economizers 10 and the pipes 6 to the receptacle 12. The pump 7 is operated at uniform speed, and the valve 18 is set in an intermediate position. The pump 7 takes water from the receptacles 12 and 2 and forces the same into the boiler through pipe 9. The excess of water which is not vaporized, flows over the overflow 15 disposed within the receptacle 15 to receptacle 2 through pipe 3. Therefore the water within the boiler is held at the same level, and the heat which is not used for vaporization is transmitted to the receptacle 2. Upon a reduction of the consumption of steam the pressure within boiler .1 rises. so that the controlling device 19 sets the valve 18 in position for arln'iitting more water from receptacle 12 to the boiler, which takes up the excess of heat from the boiler and transmits the same to the accumulator 2, which is'now gradually filled. If now the consumption of steam rises above the normal, the pressure within boiler 1 falls of? and valve 18 reduces the admission of preheated feed water from receptacle 12 to the boiler, and takes a larger amount of water fromv the accumulator 2, which water has the same temperature as that within the boiler. If necessary the valve 18 entirely closes the admission of water from receptacle 12. In this case substantially all the heat developed within the boiler is made use of for vaporizing the water, and no heat is consumed for heating the water to vaporizing temperature.

'The receptacle 12 plays an important part in connectionwith the economizers 10. Ordinarily economizers are not adaptedto generate steam. If now the valve 18 is set in position for closing the receptacle 12, the feed pump continues its operation at the normal velocity and the water preheated within the economizer is stored within the receptacle 12. Therefore the temperature of the economizer is not unduly raised.

By forming a closed circuit between and maintaining the same pressure in the receptacles 2 and 12 and in the boilers 1 heat losses are prevented, the circulating pump 7 has to overcome only the resistance of the water flowing through the pipes, the boilers, and the receptacles 2 and 12, so that irregularities of flow are prevented and but little power is necessary for operating the pump.

A From the foregoing description it will be understood that. by providing an accumulator receptacle of the proper capacity the genin an unlimited way.

heat at such parts where no steam is generatcd. If now the water is fed into the boiler at the temperature of the steam, the whole' heating surface of the boiler is made use of for generating steam, which results in an increased vaporization of steam.

My improved system may be used in old steam generating plants by equipping the same with an accumulator and circulating means.

In such cases in which no economizers are provided, the chamber 12 may be dispensed with. A. system of this type has been shown in Fig. 6. As shown in the said figure the system comprises a set of boilers 21, an accumulator receptacle 22 connected therewith by pipes 23 and 29, a circulating pump 27 included in the pipe 29, a feed pump 24 taking water from a tank 25 and supplying the same through a pipe 26 to the boiler 21.

The operation of the system shown in Fig. 6 is as follows:

In case of normal consumption of steam the feed pump 24 supplies the normal amount of water to the boiler. In case of a reduction of the consumption of steam the effect of the feed pump 24 is increased by reason of the increased steam pressure resulting from the accumulation of the steam. Therefore an excess of water is supplied to the boiler, which is heated therein and flows through the pipe 23 to the receptacle 22. In case of an increased consumption of steam the velocity of the pump 24 is reduced below the normal, and if necessary the supply of feed water is entirely interrupted. Now the circulating pump 27 supplies hot water from receptacle 22 to the boilers. By reason of the high temperature of the water there is the same pressure within the receptacle 22 as in the boiler or boilers, and in some cases I provide a'conn'ec'tion 37 between the steam chamber of the boiler and the receptacle 22 for insuring uniform pressure. Ordinarily I keep the circulating pump in continuous operation forcirculating the water from the receptacle 22 to the boiler or boilers. in which case the excess of water is returned from the boiler to the receptacle 22. In this case regulation is efi'ected exclusively by regulating the pump 24. According as the supply of water by the said pump is a multiple of the normal, or the said supply is reduced below the normal or no feed water is supplied at all the'genthe meantime the operation of the pump: is

eration of steam by the boiler is reduced to zero or increased to a maximum. This regulation is performed without varying the fuel supply or otherwise regulating the combustion, and the state of the fire and the condition of the boiler as to its temperature may be kept unaltered, though the generation of steam varies'within broad limits.

In Fig. 7 I have shown a modification which is similar to the one described with -reference to Figs. 1 to 5, and the same letters of reference have been used to indicate corresponding parts. The storage receptacle 42 receiving the feed water from the economizer 10 is not connected with the accumulator 2, but it communicates through a pump 13 with the ipe 6 and the boiler.

'1 1e operation of the system shown in Fig. 7 is as follows: The feed pump 4 takes an amount of feed Water corresponding to the average demand from the tank 5 and forces the same through the economizer 10 and the pipe 11 into the storage receptacle 42. At the time of normal consumption of steam the pump 13 takes the water from the receptacle 42 and forces the same through the pipe 6 and into the boiler. At the time of a reduced consumption of steam the pump 13 feeds alarger amount of water and the excess of water flows through the pipe 3 to the accumulator 2. At the time of increased consumption of steam the effect of the pump 13 is reduced, or the pump is entirely stopped, and the pump 7 supplies hot'water from the accumulator 2 and through the pipe 6 into the boiler 1. In

continued, the water supplied thereby ing stored within the receptacle 42. Also in this case the pump 7 may be continuousl operated for circulating the hot water t rough the boiler and the accumulator, regulation being effected exclusively by means of the pump 13, which therefore has a similar function as far as regulation is concerned as the pump 24 shown in Fig. 6.

In the modification shown in Fig. 8 the parts indicated by the reference characters 1 to 8 and 10 are the same as those described with reference to Fig. 7. The economizers 10 are connected by a pipe 14 with the feed water supply pipe 6.

At the time of normal consumption of steam the pump 4 feeds the normal amount of feed water to the boiler. Upon a reduc tion of the consumption the supply by the feed pump 4 is increased, so that a part or all of the heat is used for heating water. The excess of water flows through pipe 3 to acoumulator 2 which is thereby gradually filled. The pump 7 circulates the water through the boilers and the accumulator 2. If the generation of steam is increased, the supply of fresh water by the feed pump 4 is reduced, so that the hot water contained in the boilers and in the accumulator is vaporized within the boiler. The pump 7 may be in continuous operation, so that the regulation of the sys tern is effected only by the feed pump 4.

- In all the examples the accumulator receptacles may be used for instantaneous generation of steam at the cost of the pressure. In the system shown in Fig. 7 the heat stored in receptacle 42 may be used in a similar way. The heat of the water contained in the boilers may likewise be used for generating steam at the cost of the pressure.

In all the figures the pumps 4, 7, and 13 have been shown connected to the same feed pipe 6, for simplicity of illustration. But I do not limit myself to this feature.

An important feature resides in maintaining the water in the accumulator at high temperature, which is done by means of the circulating pump.

In Fig. 9 I have shown a modification in which the accumulator 72 is disposed above the boiler. In this case the pipe 73 includes a pump 77 for raising the water from the boiler to the accumulator.

My improved system including an accumulator and a circulating pump has a function similar to a boiler having a very large water chamber, the similarity residing in the following: When interrupt-ing the feed water supply the water level within the accumulator falls off and the whole heat supplied to the'boiler is usedfor vaporization. In case of a large feed water supply the water level within the accumulator is automatically raised and the heat supplied to the boiler is in part used for heating the water. Upon a reduction of the pressure steam is automatically generated by the heat stored in the water of the accumulator, the temperature of which falls off. Upon an increase of the pressure of the steam the tem perature of the accumulator rises, the water being supplied thereto from the boiler by the circulating pump.

While in describing the invention referance has been made to particular examples embodying the same I wish it to be understood that my invention is not limited to the constructions shown in the drawings, and that various changes may be made in the general arrangement of the apparatus and the construction of its parts without departing from the invention.

I claim 1. The combination, with a steam boiler,

of an accumulator receptacle in communication with the steam space of the boiler and having feed and return connections with the boiler and forming therewith a closed circuit in which the accumulator is under boiler pressure, the return connection from the boiler .to the accumulator communicating with the boiler at a point between the high and low water levels, means to circulate water from said accumulator through llu said feed connection to the boiler and through said return connection from the boiler back to the accumulator, said return connection havin a damming action and coacting with said water circulating means to maintain a water level at least equal to low water level in the boiler, and means for supplying water from a source of supply to the accumulator without interrupting the flow of water between the accumulator and the boiler.

2. The combination, with a steam boiler, of an accun'lulator receptacle having two chambers, one at least of which communicates with the steam space of the boiler and is closed against the escape of steam, water feed and return connections between the boiler and receptacle forming therewith a closed circuit, said return connection operating as a dam to maintain a predetermined water level in the boiler and forming an overflow line for the return of water rising above the predetermined level to one of the chambers of the accumulator receptacle, a

pump for continuously forcing water from the receptacle through the feed connection to the boiler, and pressure controlled means for automatically establishing communication between one or both chambers of the accumulator receptacle and the feed connection.

3. The combination, with a steam boiler, of an accumulator receptacle having two chambers, one at least of which communieates with the steam space of the boiler and is closed against the escape of steam, water feed and return connections between the boiler and receptacle forming therewith a closed circuit, said return connection operating as a dam to maintain a predetermined water level in the boiler and forming-an overflow line for the return of water rising above the predetermined level to one of the chambers of the accumulator receptacle, a pump for continuously forcing water from the receptacle through the feed connection to the boiler, and pressure controlled means for automatically establishing communication between one or both chambers of the accumulator receptacle and the feed connection.

A. The combination, with a steam boiler, of an accumulator embodying a pair of chambers, a water circulatory system including the boiler, the accumulator, a feed pipe and a return pipe, the latter-named pipe connecting the boiler with one of the accumulator chambers, a force feed device in said feed pipe, and a pressure controlled valve in said feed pipe and controlling the discharge of water from one or both accumulator chambers to said force feed device.

5. In combination with a steam boiler, an accumulator connected therewith in a closed circuit, means for providing a. forced circufrom the boiler to one of the accumulatorchambcrs, a force feed device in the feed connection. and a single pressure-controlled valve in the feed connection adjustable to control communication between said connection and one or both of said accumulator chambeis.

7. The combination, with a steam boiler, of an accumulator embodying a pair of chambers, a feed connection between the accumulator and the boiler, a force feed device inthe feed connection, a return connection between the boiler and one of the accumulator chambers, said connection communicating with the boiler at a level between the high and low water levels, and a single pressure-controlled valve in the feed connection adjustable to control communication between said connection and one or both of said accumulator chambers.

S. The combination, with a steam boiler, of an accumulator embodying a pair of chambers, feed and return connections between the accumulator and the boiler,the said feed connection communicating through a valve casing with both accumulator chambers and the said return connection communicating with only one of said chambers, a force feed device in the feed connection, a valve in said valve chamber adjustable to open or close communication between one or both of said accumulator chambers and the feed connection, and pressure-controlled means governing said valve.

9. The combination, with a steam boiler, of an accumulator embodying two chambers, feed and return pipes between the accumulator and boiler, the said return pipe communicating only with one of the accumulator chambers, a force feeddevice in the feed pipe, a valve in the feed pipe movable to control communication between one or both of said accumulator chambers'and the feed pipe, a pressure relief pipe connecting ,the steam space of the boiler with the accumulator chambers, a pressure-operated device governing the valve, and a pressure sup-ply connection between said device and the said relief pipe.

10. The combination, with a steam boiler, of a closed accumulator'receptacle, a steam pipe connection between the boiler and accumulator receptacle, water feed and return connections between the receptacle and boiler llm turn connection communicat' forming therewith a closed circuit under .boiler pressure, a force feed device for forcing water from the receptacle through said feed connection to the boiler, the said return conneection being so connected with the boiler as to institute a draining action maintaining a substantially constant predetermined level of the water in the boiler during such continuous water feed action, means controlled by boiler pressure for regulating the quantitative flow of water from the receptacle to said force feed device, and means for forcing water from a source of supply to the receptacle without interrupting the flow of water between the receptacle and the boiler.

11. The combination, with .a steam boiler, of a closed accumulator receptacle comprising a pair of chambersclosed against communication with each other but both communicating with the steamspace of the boiler, a water return connection between one of the chambers of the receptacle and the boiler, a water feed connection between both chambers of the receptacle and the boiler, a force feed device in said feed connection, the said return connection communicating with the boiler so as to institute a draining action maintaining a substantially constant predetermined level ofthe water in the boiler during such contmuous water feed action, a valve in the water feed connection for controlling the flow of water from either chamber of the receptacle to said force feed device, and pressure controlled means governing said valve.

12. The combination, with a steamboiler, of a closed accumulator receptacle havin two separate chambers communicating-wit the steam space ofthe boiler, water feed and return connections between the receptacle and boiler forming therewith a closed circuit under boiler ressure, means for forcin water continue y from the receptacle t rough said feed connection to the boiler, the said rewith only one of the two accumulator cham ers and with the boiler so as to institute a draining action maintaining a substantially constant predetermined level of the water in the boiler durmg such continuous water feed action, a valve for controlling the flow of water from either or both chambers of the receptacle to the water feed connection,- and means governed by ressure variations in the boiler for governmg said valve.

13. The combination, with'a steam boiler, of a closed accumulator receptacle in communication with the steam space of the boiler,

water feed and return pipes between the receptacle I'd boiler, means for forcing water continnomly from the receptacle through said feed pipe to the boiler, the said return pipe communicating with the boiler so as to institute a draining action maintaining a substantially constant predetermined level of the water in the boiler during such continuous water feed action, an equalizing pipe for maintaining substantially uniform steam pressures within the boiler and receptacle, a valve controlling the flow of water from the receptacle to the feed pipe, and pressure controlled means communicating with said equalizing pipe and governing said valve.

14. The combination with a steam boiler, of a closed accumulator receptacle, water feed and return connections between the receptacle and boiler, a force feed device for forcing wa-' ter continuously from the receptacle through said feed connection to the boiler, the said return connection communicating with the boiler so as to institute a draining action maintaining a substantially constant (predemined level of the water in the boiler such continuous water feed action, an equalizing connection for maintainin substantially uniform steam pressures wit in the boiler and receptacle, means governed by pressure variations in the boiler for increasing or decreasing the fiow of water from the receptacle to the feed connection, and means for forcing water from a source of supply to the receptacle without interrupting the flow of water from the receptacle to the boiler.

15. The combination, with a steam boiler, of an accumulator receptacle having two separate chambers, a feed water circuit including the boiler accumulator receptacle and water supply and return pipes, the supply pipe connecting the boiler and both chambers of the receptacle and the return pipe connecting the boiler and one chamber only of the receptacle, means including a control valve for feeding water from either chamber of the receptacle through the supply pipe to the boiler and returning surplus water from the boiler to the return pipe to the'receptacle chamber to which said return ipe is connected, and means controlled by t e pressure of the steam within the boiler forautomatically governing said valve.

16. In combination with a steam boiler, an accumulator provided with two water chambers, a return pipe connection between one onl of said accumulator chambers and the bo' er, a feed water pipe connected with the boiler and both chambers of the accumulator, and pressure controlled means controlling communication between one or both of the water chambers of the accumulator andthe feed water pipe.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

CLEMENS KIESSELBACHQ urmg 

